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Take
some simple steps to protect your family.
Each time you visit this page, you'll find a
new set of tips.
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Avoid dry cleaners that use perc.
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| Perc is a toxic solvent that can accumulate in fatty tissue and breast milk.
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Recycle computers.
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| In 1998, some 20.6 million PCs were retired from use, but only an estimated 11 percent have been recycled. Find out where to donate or recycle your computer. |
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Watch out for chemicals in the home.
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| These include household cleaners, drugs, toiletries, cosmetics, toxic glues and solvents. Keep them out of the reach of children. Buy or make non-toxic, unscented household cleaners using our Recipes for Safer Cleaners and look for low-VOC (volatile organic compounds), less-toxic home furnishings and paints. |
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Find out what kind of pipes and solder your home has.
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| You are more likely to have a lead problem if your home has faucets or fittings of brass which contain some lead; if your home has lead pipes; your copper pipes are joined with lead solder; or if your building’s supply is joined to a municipal supply via a lead connector. |
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Avoid feather comforters, feather pillows and stuffed animals.
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| Pat Jones keeps stuffed animals, a frequently overlooked mite paradise, off her asthmatic daughter’s bed. If a favorite teddy bear can't go, regularly wash it, place in the freezer for a few hours, or put him in the dryer for a spin. The extreme temperatures will kill the dust mites. |
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Repair leaks to stop mold growth.
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| Water coming from leaks in plumbing, roofs or through cracks in the foundation or basement walls can cause mold to grow. Inspect any areas of dampness as soon as possible to determine the source of the leak and repair the leak right away. |
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Douse weeds with boiling water.
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| Weeds, like humans, will burn if exposed to boiling water. This method also kills weed seeds. |
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Maintain your gas appliance annually.
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Your gas stove, water heater, clothes dryer and/or furnace should be properly cleaned and adjusted every year
by a qualified service professional. Have them inspect the appliance connectors, too, to make sure they are not corroded or leaking.
Exhaust flues and chimney pipes should also be inspected and cleaned regularly
to ensure that they are not blocked. |
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Use household ingredients to clean carpet stains.
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- Club soda removes red wine stains.
- Use an ice cube to harden gum and candle wax, then scrape off.
- Sprinkle greasy stains with baking soda, corn starch or corn meal. Let stand six hours or overnight. Then vacuum.
- Mix 1/3 cup vinegar with 2/3 cup warm water and apply to the stain. Then blot with a clean towel and repeat until the stain comes clean.
For more cleaning tips, see How to Clean with 5 Basic Tools and Recipes for Safer Cleaners. |
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